Is champ the new Pacquiao?

MANILA, Philippines - WBO minimumweight champion Merlito Sabillo fights like a young Manny Pacquiao with a devil-may-care style that leaves him open for a counter-attack but his manager Michael Aldeguer said he can’t afford to be careless against Colombian challenger Jorle Estrada in their 12-round title bout at the Solaire Resort and Casino tonight.

Sabillo, 29, has never fought in Manila and he’s excited to showcase his skills in the capital city after capturing the interim WBO 105-pound title via an eighth round stoppage of Luis de la Rosa in Cerete, Colombia, last March. The WBO later elevated Sabillo to regular status after champion Moises Fuentes relinquished the throne to invade the lightflyweight division. The fight against Estrada is Sabillo’s first defense.

Aldeguer said Sabillo is fearless and mirrors Pacquiao’s entertaining go-for-broke attitude. â€œHe’s aggressive and explosive,” said Aldeguer. â€œSometimes, in his eagerness to attack and drop his opponent, he leaves himself open. He worked on his defense in the gym because he’ll need it against a skilled boxer like Estrada. It remains to be seen if his defense has improved. For sure, he’s got power, heart and determination. Now, it’s up to Sabillo to show he can take care of business.”

Estrada, 24, is out to avenge his countryman De la Rosa’s defeat. He arrived last Monday and should be acclimatized to Manila conditions when the bell rings. Estrada hasn’t lost in his last four outings, two by KO. His record is 17-6, with 6 KOs compared to Sabillo’s 22-0, with 11 KOs.

“His record appears to be deceiving because he’s supposed to be much better than what it indicates,” said Aldeguer. â€œFrom what we know, he’s a technical fighter, more of a boxer than a puncher. Sabillo must be ready to handle a fighter who’ll box from a distance. In boxing, anything can happen and Sabillo can’t afford to take Estrada lightly. It’s a huge fight for Sabillo, his Manila debut, so he’s got to win convincingly.”

Of Estrada’s 17 victims, only two had winning records, Mauricio Fuentes (3-1) and Jose Antonio Jimenez (7-1). Eight of his victims were winless. Estrada is ranked No. 15 by the WBO.

Aldeguer said Sabillo displayed his warrior’s mentality when he shrugged off a 48-hour journey from Manila and battled De la Rosa just two days after arriving in Colombia. That journey included a nine-hour layover at the airport. But when the fight started, Sabillo was on attack mode and never eased the pressure. In the seventh round, De la Rosa survived a knockdown but in the eighth, referee Gino Rodriguez stopped it as the badly battered Colombian barely beat the 10-count. A southpaw, Sabillo used a left straight to finish off De la Rosa.

In the undercard, one-time world title challenger A.J. Banal attempts to bounce back from a crushing knockout loss to Pungluang Sor Singyu for the vacant WBO bantamweight crown at the MOA Arena last October. Banal, 24, takes on Guadalajara’s Abraham Gomez in a 10-rounder.

“A.J. was only 17 when fans began calling him the next Pacquiao,” said Aldeguer. â€œBut he can’t seem to win the big ones. He lost to Rafael Concepcion for the interim WBA superflyweight title in 2008 then was stopped by Pungluang. Whether he can live up to his potential is up to him. In the gym, the fire in his eyes is back. He’s determined to win a world title but he knows he has to prove himself all over again. A.J. used to be in our main events, now he’s two fights down in the undercard.”

Gomez shouldn’t be a difficult proposition for Banal. The Mexican trialhorse has an 18-7-1 record, with 9 KOs, and is coming off two losses inside the distance to Miguel Angel Mendoza and Roberto Ortiz on a body shot. Both Gomez and Banal haven’t fought since October but the Mexican was busier over the last two years, logging 11 outings to the Filipino’s six. Aldeguer said the fight contract stipulates a weight limit of 124 pounds. Gomez scaled 132 3/4 in his last bout and 137 3/4 and 139 in two previous matches. The weigh-in is scheduled this morning and all eyes will be on Gomez when he steps on the scales.

“A.J. is very determined to go back to the level of a world championship contender,” said Aldeguer. â€œThis fight will test his mental toughness. There have been questions about his ability to absorb punishment. I think A.J. wants to settle that issue once and for all. We’re very positive about his future. He’s learning from experience. We think he’s got a long way to go. He’ll peak at 27 or 28. We still don’t know how far he can push himself but I remember Brian Viloria won his first world title at 25, his second at 29 and his third at 31.”

In another bout, unbeaten Arthur Villanueva faces dangerous Mexican knockout artist Arturo (Fuerte) Badillo in a 12-rounder for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific superflyweight crown.